You think you know Canada, eh? But have you ever bitten into a bison burger with Saskatoon berry chutney on top? Maybe you've been to British Columbia, but have you sailed into a deep fiord to see grizzly bears in a sanctuary? And the Cabot Trail -- it's spectacular by car, but what about trying it with the wind in your face, on the back of a motorcycle?

Even if you've travelled Canada from coast to coast, don't think for a minute you've been there and done that.

Here are 10 new ways to experience Canada this summer:

- 1. BRITISH COLUMBIA

SEE GRIZZLIES, SAFELY -- AND AFFORDABLY:

Prince Rupert Adventure Tours, a company that's been operating since 1988, has launched a 100-passenger boat that will take you down rugged fiords into the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary -- home of the largest population of grizzly bears anywhere on Earth.

The six-hour trips cost $155 for adults, $135 for children -- box lunches included -- and are likely to get up close to orcas, eagles, seals, mountain goats and spectacular scenery even before you reach the sanctuary, where the catamaran will keep a respectable distance from shore to protect you and the endangered bears.

HOW TO GET TO PRINCE RUPERT:

You have a couple of spectacular options. You can take a B.C. ferry from Port Hardy, on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The 18-hour, all-daylight trip has been called the poor man's Alaska cruise. Or you can take the train from Jasper to Prince Rupert, B.C. -- in Via's "Totem Deluxe" class, all the cars have domes for sensational sightseeing.

See www.westcoastlaunch.com or 1-800-201-8377.

- 2. ALBERTA

TRY ROCKY MOUNTAIN COMFORT FOOD:

For many years, Banff was known for incredible scenery, great skiing ... and mediocre meals. That's changing and at the forefront is the Bison, a bistro and food store. The restaurant is upstairs with a menu of homegrown creations including: a bison burger with saskatoon berry chutney, Merguez corndogs and lavender s'mores made with house-made marshmallows.

www.thebison.ca or 1-403-762-5550.

- 3. SASKATCHEWAN

SEE HOW THE WEST WAS WON:

The biggest heritage project across Canada in the last year is complete: a $29-million RCMP Heritage Centre at Regina's RCMP Academy. Take a stab at crime solving in a new interactive exhibit and visit the "March of the Mounties" sculptural procession, which runs the 30-metre length of the main hall, demonstrating the evolution of the RCMP from riders on horseback to present-day crime solving.

www.rcmpheritagecentre.com or 1-306-522-7333 or 1-866-567-7267.

- 4. MANITOBA

WALK WITH POLAR BEARS:

"I Walked with Polar Bears" is the newest trip from Northern Soul, an adventure company based in Winnipeg. On this trek, July 19 to 22, you'll hike through polar bear territory, viewing them from afar. In addition to polar bears, you'll see beluga whales -- 3,000 of them are concentrated near Churchill -- learn about Dene and Inuit traditions and walk through tundra renowned for its spectacular wildflowers.

The cost is $2,299, which includes return airfare from Winnipeg, meals, accommodation in Churchill, a beluga whale tour and an interpretive guide.

Check out www.northernsoul.ca or 1-866-284-4072.

- 5. ONTARIO

GO PAST THE END OF THE PAVEMENT:

Cree Village Ecolodge is way past the end of roads on an island in the Moose River, about 15 kilometres from where the river meets the ocean water of James Bay.

Once you get to Moosonee by plane or train, and then take a water taxi to the island, you'll be in a landscape like no other. The lodge, built according to Cree principles, has been rated one of the top eco-destinations in North America by Natural Home magazine.

While you're there you can take a guided tour in a freighter canoe to the salt waters of James Bay and a bird sanctuary, bike around the town of Moose Factory or join a sunset boat tour around the island.

The lodge's dining room features modern versions of Cree-inspired dishes, such as panfried pickerel, buffalo ragout or maple-peppercorn smoked trout on a bed of white and wild rice.

Rates range from $148 for a regular room to $213 for the second-floor Jacuzzi suite.

For info see www.creevillage.com or 1-888-CREEWAY.

- 6. QUEBEC

SPRUCING UP FOR A BIG ANNIVERSARY:

Next year marks the 400th anniversary of when Samuel de Champlain established Kebec -- an Algonquin word meaning where the river narrows -- and the city is gearing up for a huge 10-month celebration. But you can enjoy some of the sprucing up.

Saint-Roch, an area west of the Old Port that was getting dangerously seedy has undergone a renaissance. The New York Times has called it "perhaps the trendiest neighbourhood in town."

The area has several small hotels, but most notable is the new 10-room Auberge Le Vincent, decorated with van Gogh's sunflowers on the outside, his starry skies on the floors inside. Rates from $109 to $179 include breakfast.

In August, a $6.5-million tourist attraction will open near Miramachi, the result of 35 years of planning and negotiation -- and 3,000 years of history. You can be among the first to visit, getting a unique glimpse into Canada's native history.

Metepenagiag Heritage Park will tell the story of the oldest archeological site -- and the oldest settlement -- in New Brunswick.

Want somewhere authentic to stay? Right next door to the new centre is the two-year-old Metepenagiag Outdoor Lodge. The 10-bedroom lodge is decorated to celebrate Mi'kmaq heritage, serves native dishes, such as moose, salmon and fiddleheads and is run in an environmentally sensitive manner. Rooms range from $60 to $120 a night.

Check out www.metepenagiag.com or www.metepenagiaglodge.com or 1-800-570-1344.

- 8. NOVA SCOTIA

HEAD OUT ON A HARLEY:

Hit Nova Scotia's beautiful open roads with twists, hills and ocean vistas on two powerful wheels.

Vineland Motorcycle Tours of Nova Scotia is a new company specializing in self-guided tours by motorcycle. You can bring your own, or rent one of their Harley Davidsons. The company supplies you with an itinerary, maps, directions and room bookings, then you roar off on your own.

Its Wet & Wild, Whales & Wine package, for example, costs $2,231 per rider and includes six nights at a B&B in Wolfville -- no packing and unpacking -- dinners, breakfasts and five days of touring that include a tidal rafting trip and whale watching on the Bay of Fundy. Rates for renting Harley Davidsons range from $125 for an afternoon to $1,375 to rent a Road King for a week.

For information see www.vintour.ca or call 1-866-425-6305.

- 9. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

TRY GEOCACHING ON THE SCENIC SOUTH SHORE:

This summer, you can combine an introduction to geocaching -- an adventure sport using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices -- with an exploration of P.E.I.'s scenic south shore. A number of inns, B&Bs and tourism operators there offer geocache adventures to their guests as a way of letting them discover the area's charms on their own.

"Think of it as treasure hunting with the latest technology," says Phil MacKay of the South Shore Tourism Group. "Once a guest indicates an interest in doing some geocaching, we provide them with a GPS unit and a set of co-ordinates, depending on what they would like to do and see. You can also e-mail in advance and get custom tours developed that incorporate your special interests.

Among the inns offering GPS adventures are MacKay's Blue Heron Retreat B&B in Cape Traverse, which faces kilometres of red sand beach and has a view of the Confederation Bridge, the Orient Hotel in picturesque Victoria By the Sea, and Serendipity Inn in Bedeque.

www.geocachingpei.com or www.apeiblueheronretreat.com or 1-902-729-2888.

- 10. NEWFOUNDLAND

TEN-DAY PARTY:

Newfoundland is renowned as Canada's party province. Well, hold onto your hats, because this summer St. John's is going to party like never before. Several summer festivals and parties will take place July 27 to Aug. 6.

On Aug. 1, the whole city stops working for the annual Royal St. John's Regatta on Quidi Vidi Lake. The oldest continuing sporting event in North America, the regatta attracts more than 50,000 spectators. The event is held on the first Wednesday in August, weather permitting.

The 31st Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival and the Annual Downtown Busker Festival will take centrestage Aug. 3, 4 and 5.

Where to stay? Murray Premises Hotel is an upscale boutique hotel built into the top three floors of an 1846 salt cod warehouse right on the harbour. Rates start at $199 for a room with an electric fireplace, Jacuzzi tub, heated towel racks and champagne and chocolates on arrival.

www.stjohnstime.ca or, for the hotel, www.murraypremiseshotel.com or 1-709-738-7773.

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By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.